Carol Purves

‘And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news’ Romans 10:15

I’ve just been to the pediatrist because my human feet are not beautiful. I can only pray that my spiritual feet are good and well.

‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send our workers into the harvest field.’ Mark 9:37-38

If I ask the Lord to send out workers, that must mean me. So I ask the Lord to equip me and send me out. I can’t point the fingers towards others; it must be for me.

God is the God of love and He died for our sins, but He is still a God of justice and also needs to be feared. When we think about who He is we can only bow down and worship.

‘Declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, He is to be feared above ll gods.’ Psalm 96:3,4

‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.’ 1 John 5:14

What is the secret? Ask according to His will. What is the secret to that? Listen to Him more often.

Visiting the sick in hospital I meet people who are sick, frightened and broken hearted. Instead of following their normal life they are lying in a hospital bed. They don’t know what the future will be. Will they gain full health? How are their families coping with their hospital stay. These people need to know the love and care of God.

‘The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Psalm 34:18

It seems to be human nature to worry. But it really is unwise to worry about things we cannot change. God has everything in control. Instead of looking around around, we need to look upwards to Him who know what He’s doing.

‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow.’ Matthew 6:34

All our tomorrows are in God’s hands.

At the beginning of Lent it is good to remember again the sacrifice of God in sending His only Son for our sins. We are so self-centred as humans that we think it is about us. It isn’t, it’s all about Him.

‘This is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.’ 1 John 4:10

Freedom is what we seek. Because we are a slave to sin, sinning when we don’t want to, we are not free. It sounds contrary, but to be a slave to Christ is to have real freedom. Paul tells us this.

‘Although I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave for the sake of the gospel.’ 1 Corinthians 9:19

Pride can be a problem in this day and age. Youngsters are brought up to believe that they can do anything they put their minds to. Failure can then lead to low esteem. To have a servant attitude can keep the mind in level place. These words of Jesus are so wise.

‘The one who is the greatest among you will be your servant. All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.’Matthew 11:12

It is so easy to take for ourselves the praise and thankfulness that belongs to God. It is all of God and nothing of us. A difficult lesson for humans to learn.

‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show us that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from ourselves.’ 2 Corinthians 4:7